Are you itching to get out and do something, anything, in the yard or garden? There are many things to be done this time of year.
If you haven’t yet pruned your apples, pears or grapes do it now! Ideally you did this in February or early March, but if you were waiting for nicer weather, it’s not too late.
While you’ve got the pruning tools out, cut back flowering shrubs like spirea and potentilla to about 6-12 inches. Cut to the ground the oldest stems of shrubs like highbush cranberry, lilac, dogwood and mock orange to rejuvenate and shape the plants.
If you are looking for a non-chemical alternative to weed control in your lawn, apply corn gluten meal before the weeds germinate, around April 1. Corn gluten meal reduces the germination of dandelions and other broadleaf weeds by as much as 90%. Since it is basically corn meal, kids and pets can safely play on the lawn immediately after application. Corn gluten meal also provides trace amounts of slowly released fertilizer for the lawn. The lawn should be watered well after application, or spread it just before rain is forecast. You can mail order from Gardens Alive and spend $49.95 plus shipping for a 40-lb bag, which covers 2,000 – 4,000 square feet, or drive the short distance north on Hwy. 76 to Greenville Co-op where 50-lb bags are just $15. Call ahead to check hours and to make sure they have it in stock: 920-757-6556.
If you have covered your roses with styrofoam cones, remove the cones before the days get too warm or the roses will cook inside them. If you stuffed leaves or pine needles inside the cones, leave them in place to protect the roses from the coldest nights. If you are nervous about removing the cones too early, then poke several large holes in the top of the cones so warm air can escape.
This is the time to start tomato and pepper seeds indoors. Also start any other seeds whose seed packets instruct you to start them indoors six to eight weeks before moving them outdoors. Put soiless potting mix in flat trays, egg cartons or yogurt cups. Poke a hole in the bottom of the containers so water can drain out. Wet the mix and plant the seeds at the depth suggested on the seed packet. Cover the container with plastic and set it in a sunny window. Remove the plastic after germination and keep the potting mix moist.
Most seedlings will have to be carefully repotted into larger containers once they have a few leaves.
This is also a good time to replant your houseplants. They are waking up from a relatively dormant winter and some new soil, along with a little fertilizer and extra water and a trim back if they need it, will perk them right up.
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